Surgical instrument with cartridge release mechanisms

Abstract

An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises an anvil comprising a proximal camming member. At least one jaw is movable relative to the other to close the end effector. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising a proximal channel aperture and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a cartridge pan. The cartridge pan comprises a proximal pan aperture configured to be positioned partially distal to the proximal channel aperture when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel in an unlocked configuration. The camming member is configured to proximally translate the cartridge pan relative to the cartridge body from the unlocked configuration to a locked configuration during a transition of the end effector to a closed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument, the end effector comprising:
 a first jaw, comprising an anvil comprising a proximal camming member; 
 a second jaw wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to transition the end effector to a closed configuration, the second jaw comprising:
 an elongated channel comprising a proximal channel aperture; and 
 a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:
 a cartridge body; and 
 a cartridge pan comprising a proximal pan aperture configured to be positioned partially distal to the proximal channel aperture when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel in an unlocked configuration; and 
 
 
 wherein the camming member is configured to proximally translate the cartridge pan relative to the cartridge body and the elongated channel from the unlocked configuration to a locked configuration during a transition of the end effector to a closed configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the camming member is received in the proximal pan aperture when the end effector is transitioned to the closed configuration. 
     
     
       3. The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal channel aperture is configured to accommodate a pivoting movement of the camming member during the transition of the end effector to the closed configuration. 
     
     
       4. The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge pan comprises a release feature for translating the cartridge pan to the unlocked configuration. 
     
     
       5. The end effector of  claim 4 , wherein the release feature comprises a finger tab. 
     
     
       6. The end effector of  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge body comprises a distal slot configured to accommodate a translating motion of the release feature. 
     
     
       7. The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge body includes a projection, and wherein the cartridge pan comprises a side wall including an aperture configured to receive the projection when the cartridge body is assembled with the cartridge pan. 
     
     
       8. The end effector of  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge pan comprises a projection, wherein elongated channel comprises an L-shaped slot configured to receive the projection when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel. 
     
     
       9. The end effector of  claim 8 , wherein the projection is movable in the L-shaped slot when the cartridge pan is translated from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. 
     
     
       10. An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument, the end effector comprising:
 a first jaw, comprising an anvil; and 
 a second jaw wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue, the second jaw comprising:
 an elongated channel; and 
 a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith, the staple cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body; and 
 a cartridge pan attached to the cartridge body, wherein the anvil is configured to proximally translate the cartridge pan relative to the cartridge body and the elongated channel from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration within the elongated channel. 
 
 
 
     
     
       11. The end effector of  claim 10 , wherein the cartridge pan comprises a projection, wherein elongated channel comprises an L-shaped slot configured to receive the projection when the staple cartridge is assembled with the elongated channel. 
     
     
       12. The end effector of  claim 11 , wherein the projection is movable in the L-shaped slot when the cartridge pan is translated from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.